What is acute stress disorder? When a person experiences a traumatic event, it can cause them to experience fear, horror, a sense of helplessness, and an unhealthy buildup of stress. Acute stress disorder occurs within a few weeks after a traumatic event and can cause depression, anxiety, and addiction if left untreated. Men and women who experience trauma can find help processing their thoughts and feelings through an acute stress disorder treatment program.
At Crestview Recovery, we work with young men and women 18 and over who have experienced a recent trauma and are having trouble coping with their feelings. Our team works together to create an effective treatment program that addresses the feelings caused by the trauma and develops coping skills for managing their symptoms. Patients work in group and private therapy sessions led by certified behavioral counselors. To learn more about our acute stress disorder treatment program, call 866.262.0531 or fill out our online form today, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
What is Acute Stress Disorder?
Acute stress disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that causes patients to relive the trauma and prevent them from moving on. It can affect men and women of all ages and backgrounds and typically occurs within the first month after the event. Men and women with PTSD, depression or other mental health illnesses are more susceptible to acute stress disorder than others.
A traumatic event can be anything from a natural disaster, the sudden death of a loved one or close friend, in-person or cyberbullying, wartime/military duty, COVID-19, or other events that cause significant mental harm.
Here are some of the common symptoms of acute stress disorder:
- Feeling numb or detached
- Inability to concentrate
- Depersonalization/derealization
- Dissociative amnesia
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Insomnia/hyposomnia
- Always feeling tense or on edge
At Crestview Recovery, we have experience treating the common symptoms of acute stress disorder using a combination of behavioral therapy and medical support. We evaluate each patient to fully understand their condition and create the best treatment program for their symptoms.
Treatment for Acute Stress Disorder
While there is no cure for acute stress disorder, there are several evidence-proven treatment options available. Men and women can minimize their risk of experiencing longer-lasting symptoms by participating in the following types of treatment for acute stress disorder:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
This type of therapy helps patients process their feelings caused by the trauma and develop healthy coping skills for managing their symptoms and triggers. Counselors lead group and individual therapy sessions where they can talk about their feelings in a safe environment while getting valuable feedback from the counselor and their peers.
Exposure Therapy
Patients will talk about the trauma and work on minimizing the physical reactions that recalling the trauma causes, such as increased heart rates, nervousness, fear, and other symptoms. It breaks the pattern of fear and avoidance and allows patients to begin processing their feelings and begin healing.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
There is no medication to specifically treat acute stress disorder, but there are medications that can treat the symptoms. Patients may receive antidepressants, anti-anxiety, or antipsychotic medications, along with medications that minimize withdrawals and cravings from substance use.
If you recognize the symptoms of acute stress disorder in a friend or loved one, talk to them about what is acute stress disorder and what treatments are available.
Choose Crestview Recovery for Our Acute Stress Disorder Treatment in Portland
At Crestview Recovery, we support men and women who are struggling with acute stress disorder after experiencing a traumatic event. Talking with a counselor after the loss of a loved one or surviving a bad car accident is the best way for men and women to process their feelings now instead of letting them get worse.
If you or a loved one is struggling with acute stress disorder, call 866.262.0531 today to discover all of the benefits of enrolling in our mental health treatment center.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
